What should you do after a soldier reports eye pain for a couple of days?

After a soldier reports eye pain for a couple of days, assessing visual acuity is a crucial initial step in determining the severity of the situation and guiding further actions. By testing how well the soldier can see, the healthcare provider can gather important information regarding the function of the soldier's eyes. This assessment helps in evaluating whether the pain might be resulting from a more serious underlying issue that could potentially impact vision.

Determining visual acuity can reveal issues such as corneal abrasions, infections, or other ocular conditions. Knowing how well the soldier can see assists in making an informed decision regarding the need for further investigations or interventions. If significant changes in visual acuity are noted or if the pain is accompanied by other symptoms, it may indicate the need for a referral to a specialist or additional diagnostic tests.

Providing pain medication or checking for foreign objects could be part of the overall management plan, but they should come after gaining a better understanding of the soldier's condition through visual acuity testing. Immediate referral without initial assessment might lead to unnecessary delays or complications, especially if the problem can be managed at the primary care level. Therefore, assessing visual acuity is a fundamental and logical first step in this clinical scenario.